OXFORD FARMERS UNION.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 14343, 1 May 1912, Page 5

OXFORD FARMERS UNION.

The annual". I .meeting of the Oxford Branch of tho Farmers' Union was held on April 22nd, when Mr Thomas Harle, jnr., presided ovor a small ntteudancu. J The secretary (Mr McC'oirmaok) prej sented the audited balance-sheet, which showed a credit balance of £1) 10s lUd. The Clmirmnn moved the adoption of the balance-sheet, which he thought very satisfactory. He commented on the smallncss of tho meeting and the continued indifference of those,, upon whose behalf the branch was working hard. Tlie balance-sheet was unanimously adopted,. In regard to a letter from the Scargill Branch, it. was agreed that it bo a recommendation to this branch's delegate to act in conjunction with Mr Roberts at the next provincial conferonce. Mr O'Halloran, delegate, referred u> many matters,originated by the Oxford Branch—the Ashley Gorgo-Snov.dalc road, for which tJio Government had already given £1000, and far which another £1300 was on the Estimates. This latter amount should he-obtained by the Oxford County by tiic immediate letting of further contracts towards the earlj' completion "of the road. The Oxford A. and P. Association, which was. becoming a very successful and permanent institution, was, owing greatly to the Oxford Branch, which originally started it with its Winter Show, and the Branch, was entitled to much credit for leading the development and improvement of tho Oxford District. Again the Experimental Station, which is about to be established in North Canterbury, wits in a measure due to » remit of the branch which lwd been dealt with by the Provincial and Dominion Conferences, and success had attended their efforts, and now th<: subject was receiving tho immediate and earnest efforts of the Government. In tho matter of remits, the lack of information concerning their fate was a. great drawback to the cheirmen of branches, a s they had no hows to unfold about them at the annual meetings, and he thought: that tho Provincial Kxeoittivo should give an account !of tho f:»t<> of all remits from this J branch during tho year. Tho ploughi ing match had proved a very .successful I and useful institution, and had been taken up heartily, m reference to the Midland Kailway lands, the branch took a hand in working uj> the petitions and placing evidence before the commission in Wellington, which resulted in tho following recommendation in the report to tho Government:—"That tho Government Iwve an enquiry made into tlio circumstances of the various local bodies in the district covered'by the petitions, with a view of making a reasonable grant for reading tho back portions of their districts. This subject should bo brought under the notice of the Government in the next session of Parliament by the members for the districts." It was unanimously-resolved that all the officers of the branch holding office during the past ye.-fr be re-elected for tho current year, the secretary to intorm the members and request retention of office. The secretary and chairman were ! authorised to interview the Chairman of the Domain Board re the Coronation Hall to be given free to the branch for meetings, in consideration of contribution made by the branch. I Th«> subscription of members was fixed at 10s.